Never tried the clothing optional experience?
Curious but intimidated by the idea of being naked in public. Wonder what's
it's like? Don't worry, you've got lots of company. To provide some help
we've put together a few articles and some reference sources for you to look
over. Everyone has their "first time experience" and we all survived.

Men and women both face the same uncertainties as
they approach their first experience with being nude in public and in front
of strangers but their concerns are different. Men, generally, just need to
take the first step. Get their clothes off and step out into the world. It's
a bit simpler for them. For women, the issue is a bit more complex so most
of the material we're putting on this page is directed at women. It is also
important to be aware that Turtle Lake Resort strives to maintain an
equitable and fair balance between the number of men and women at the
Resort,

A "First Timers" guide
to social nudity

From our Staff

Turtle Lake Resort is a clothing optional
resort. Women who visit the resort often have questions regarding social
nudism, and feel more comfortable asking another woman about certain
sensitive issues. Women usually find that self-acceptance and body
acceptance come quickly. They realize that nudists are all builds and not a
10 as most people imagine. Acceptance of oneself leads to acceptance of
others. You will find the freedom you experience is a wonderful stress
reducer.

First time women visitors can be assured that no
one will pressure them to remove their clothes. The only nudity required is
when using the pool, hot tub, or lagoon. Any single woman, who visits the
resort for the first time, receives a complimentary pass for a free visit
when mentioning this letter. You will receive a guided tour of the resort
and all your questions would be answered at this time.

However, feel free to call us at (517) 741-7004
if you would like to personally discuss your concerns about social nudism.

While you're
on the AANR Web Site you may want to have a look at all of the other
information available.

Sonya's Story

In October, 2012 a young single
woman came to Turtle Lake Resort for her first experience with social
nudity. This is how she described her experience at Turtle Lake Resort.

Clothing Optional
By Sonya Petrakovitz

When I first told some of my friends and family that
I would be spending the weekend at a nudist resort, most just seemed to roll
their eyes and assume that I wasn’t serious. Why would a 24 year old college
student want to go to a nudist resort? Aren’t they just for weird old
people?

Of course the short answer is no. During my three
days at Turtle Lake Clothing Optional Resort, I spent a lot of time both
reflecting on myself, and getting to know some of the people who regularly
spend time at nudist resorts.

But why would I want to go in the first place? Many
people are afraid that the residents at a nudist resort would be voyeuristic
or overly concerned with looking at other nude people. But even though I am
a single 24-year-old female, I never once felt unsafe or uncomfortable
there. The main, and arguably only, difference between nudists and people,
who live in the textile world, is in the idea of openness. All of the
traditional resorts, vacation condos, and even family weekend getaways I
have been to in the past had a different social-atmosphere than at Turtle
Lake. When you take off what we buy to differentiate ourselves from others,
fashion clothing and jewelry, you really get to know the person underneath.
There is nothing for you to hide behind. It no longer matters what you do
for a living or how expensive your pre-washed jeans are since you are just
like everyone else. You are who you are, and that is something to celebrate.
Other people just enjoy doing regular activities without the hassle of
clothing. Even when we are toddlers we have to be forced to wear clothes by
people around us. And some of the most prude adults I know have gone skinny
dipping and don’t think it is weird or outlandish.

One activity that I found to be very popular and fun
is water-volleyball. I had never played water-volleyball before, let alone
naked, so I was nervous when I first walked into the nudity required pool
and hot tub area. But I was immediately welcomed and invited into the game.
Even though it took me several attempts to hit the darn ball or even score a
point, everyone was incredibly supportive and inclusive. Besides the pool,
hot tub, and Michigan’s only nude beach, Turtle Lake also host several dance
parties throughout the year. There are also music festivals, volleyball
tournaments, a full golf course, and other events, such as the Soup and
Chili Fest I attended that weekend as well. I plan on returning to Turtle
Lake with some of my friends in the summer. We could either set up a tent in
the camping areas, or rent a room. Either way, it is sure to be a wonderful
time!

For more information on Turtle
Lake, check out their Website, Twitter and Facebook pages!

Joei's Story

Nearing the end of the film Zorba
the Greek, Zorba dances by himself. His arms are spread out and his hands
are open toward heaven. He shouts, "everybody needs a little madness." Well
that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I had just spent five days camping
at a Good Sam Rally in Centreville, Michigan. Although the staff members
were most welcoming, the participants warm and friendly and there were
plenty of activities and lots of entertainment the rally seemed endless. The
temperature soared to over 95 degrees every day with a humidity index that
pushed the temperature to above 105 before noon. To add to our misery we
were not permitted to use our air conditioners because of insufficient power
at the fairgrounds. My camper became a mini-sauna. Horses sweat and men
perspire and women glow? … Then I became a Christmas tree in July. It was
our last morning. I had had my coffee and said my good-byes to a few new
acquaintances. I was waiting in a slow-moving line at one of the two dumping
stations. During my hour-long wait I perused the plastic box sitting on the
hump in the center of my truck containing my CDs, maps, a couple of
dollar-off coupons at various campgrounds, and low and behold, a one-day
pass to a nudist colony in Michigan. It had been sitting, gathering dust,
for over a year.

Michigan is a big state. I decided
to check it out on the map, just to kill some time. Union City, by all my
calculations, looked about fifty miles away and in the direction that I was
heading. I had one extra day before having to be at my next appointment.
Before modesty could take hold, my brain went into overdrive and all I could
think about was diving into a cool swimming pool; naked, of course. Madness,
I tell you. It was sheer madness. I have never done anything like this, nor
have I really seriously contemplated doing anything like this. I called the
campground and discovered that the pass was still good and "yes, I could
camp there overnight." The drive was on main highways and since I suspected
that they did NOT have billboards advertising their whereabouts, I called
when I reached Union City and got specific directions. I was amazed at my
calmness. I still believe that my moistness was due to the weather and not
anxiety.

Not knowing what to expect, and
knowing full well that I wouldn't run into anyone with whom I was even
slightly acquainted, I felt I would probably go (largely) unnoticed as most
over fifty, gray-haired, bespectacled, (pleasingly) plump women do. After
arriving and checking in I was given (fully clothed by a fully clothed
guide) a tour of the facilities. The volleyball court, indoor swimming pool
and hot tub, lake with boats for rowing and fishing, a sandy beach and
outdoor conversation pool were first rate and inviting in my book.

For my first venture or should I
say "adventure" I decided on the conversation pool.

(A) The first thing that struck me
funny was that when I went to strip off my clothes in my camper I was
tempted to close the blinds.

(B) Everyone that passed me on the
path greeted me and smiled. They gave me the once-over like I was still
twenty years old. This was done with a look and a smile. There was no ogling
or leering or smirking. I, of course, did the same.

(C) In the conversation pool I was
immediately acknowledged and made comfortable enough to join into the
conversation. I confessed that this was my first "nudist" experience and I
was admired for my bravery.

That afternoon in front of the
wide-screen television set in the lounge I was approached by familiar faces.
"Hi," the couple said, "had we known that you were a nudist we would have
spoken to you about it at the camping rally this morning. "This morning," I
responded, "I wasn't a nudist." (So much for not running into anyone I
know.) That evening I danced, totally uninhibited, to music on the new
jukebox with friends I had met in the pool.

The experience, on a scale of one
to ten, was easily a twelve. I am still an over fifty, bespectacled,
gray-haired, (pleasingly) plump woman who mostly goes unnoticed in a crowd.
Thanks to the one day at Turtle Lake Resort in Union City, Michigan I'm back
to feeling the way I should ..feminine, beautiful and desirable. The
toughest thing about my one-day of madness occurred the next morning when I
had to put my clothes back on and go out into the big, anonymous world.

Would I do it again?, in a minute,
as soon as the sunburn stops stinging.

Joei Carlton Hossack, a full-time, solo RVer is the
author of “Restless from the Start”, “Everyone's Dream Everyone's Nightmare
and Kiss This Florida, and “I’m Outta Here”. All 3 books available through
Amazon or book 2 and 3 through Alexander Distributor by calling
1-(800)-472-0438